Two 18-year-olds faced a tragic end to their late-night swim in the Gulf waters off Galveston's Seawall Boulevard. KHOU reports that the pair were pulled from the water early this morning, with officials confirming this incident marks the third drowning in the area this year. Sadly, after first responders conducted a swift search, the man was pronounced dead at a local hospital, and the woman, found earlier and in critical condition, remains in the ICU.
According to KHOU, both individuals were co-workers and at the beach along with two other people. Witnesses, having seen them enter the water around 2:45 a.m. did not see them resurface for several minutes. Swimming was prohibited in the area where they were found, beset with rock groins that present hidden dangers, especially at night when the beach lacks the vigilance of lifeguards. Despite the dangers being clearly marked, the two ventured into the water.
Additional details from ABC13 paint a distressing picture of the incident that unfolded near Seawall Boulevard and 43rd Street. First responders found the missing woman, adjacent to a 42nd Street rock groin, where they immediately initiated CPR before rushing her to the emergency room. The man was discovered unconscious roughly two blocks from the initial search area, near the 43rd Street lifeguard tower, fifteen minutes later.
The lost lives in Galveston's waters follow a similar tragedy just last month, in which a 25-year-old Houston woman drowned while swimming at a nearby beach. Officials stress the importance of adherence to city ordinances designed to protect beachgoers, reminding the public that while swimming in the Gulf isn't illegal at night, it's hazardous and not recommended. The city's effort to prevent similar future incidents is evident in the arresting presence of warning signs along the beach. The investigation into today’s incident remains ongoing.
